An Introduction to the Parish Profiles

Links to both Riverside and The West Kirk Parish Profiles are at the bottom of this page. The following paragraphs introduce the town of Dumbarton and provide some general information about the Linkage:

Our Town

Dumbarton is a popular commuter town, about 30 minutes from Glasgow within easy reach of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. The town lies on the north bank of the River Clyde where the River Leven flows into the Clyde estuary. As of 2011, the town had an estimated population of 20,527. With easy and direct train access to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, an increasing number of families are now moving to the town, with some three new housing developments presently being built.
While having historic links as the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde, Dumbarton is now transforming itself, as West Dunbartonshire, the local council is focusing its regeneration plans on the waterfront in Dumbarton.

To the north-east of the town lies the ever popular Overtoun Estate, within easy walking distance of the town centre. The grounds have a variety of landscapes, from wooded glens and gorges to rolling parkland and exotic gardens, with colourful species collected in the Himalayas. Superb views of the surrounding Kilpatrick Hills can be enjoyed from the estate.

Popular visitor attractions are Dumbarton Castle, and the fascinating Denny Tank Museum, linking both the ancient and more recent industrial history of the town.

There are good shopping facilities in the St James’s Retail Park, with restaurants, Asda, Morrisons, a Marks and Spencer food store and other hardware and furniture stores, and these are supplemented by Loch Lomond Shores just over a ten minute drive away.

The town has its own theatre, the Denny Civic Theatre where the DPT, a local amateur company do regular shows. Sports facilities are plentiful including the Meadow Centre where there is a swimming pool and gym, with bowling clubs and golf clubs in the locale, not forgetting Dumbarton Football Club, “the Sons of the Rock”, who carry the pride of the town, even if results are not always spectacular!

Dumbarton is also home to the BBC Scotland’s drama studios, notable for filming River City, Hope Springs and Personal Affairs.

The Linkage

The formal Service of Linkage between Dumbarton: Riverside and Dumbarton: The West Kirk, and Ian Johnson’s Introduction as Minister at The West Kirk, took place on Tuesday 26th August 2014 in The West Kirk.

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Riverside is a vibrant and active church that worships in the centre of Dumbarton. Our main service is held every Sunday morning.

Riverside, in Dumbarton's town centre, brings together people of all ages at our weekly service on Sunday mornings and extends Christian fellowship throughout the week with various groups and activities in our extensive hall complex.
We have a whole range of different activities including Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Scouts and Boys' Brigade, ladies keep-fit and badminton, indoor bowling and groups for women on a Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon, with both a Playgroup and a Parent and Toddlers Group.
Every Tuesday there is a soup and sandwich lunch, and a range of different social activities.